There may be no better example of realizing the American dream than the story of Henry Ford. From the son of an immigrant farmer to the founder of Ford Motor Company, this single individual altered personal transportation like few others, ultimately affecting daily lives for generations to come.

More than 100 years since its inception, Ford continues to meet the demands of a variety of buyers. Much of its success is attributable to the Chevy Camaro's nemesis, the Ford Mustang; family-friendly alternatives to the Toyota Camry, such as the Ford Taurus; and versatile utility vehicles, including the Ford Explorer and Ford F150, built to appeal to Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Silverado shoppers. For lighter loads, the Blue Oval brand offers the Ford Ranger and Ford Sport Trac, but for heavier lifting, look to the Ford F250 in the Ford truck lineup. If, however, fuel efficiency is your primary concern, consider the Ford Focus or the reintroduced Ford Fiesta. Hybrid versions of the Ford Escape and Ford Fusion are also offered.

With the exception of diesel-powered vehicles, every Ford car, Ford truck and Ford SUV is backed a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Prices range from the low teens to nearly $100,000 for high-performance Ford Mustangs.